Tao
New York, NY 10022-1910
Phone: (212) 888-2288
- Price:
- $$$$
- Cross Street:
- Madison Avenue
- Directions:
- 4, 5, 6 at 59th St; N, R, W at 5th Ave-59th St
- Best of Citysearch:
- Pan Asian Food 2004
- Hours:
- Mon-Tue 11:30am-12am, Wed-Fri 11:30am-1am, Sat 5pm-1am, Sun 5pm-12am
Editorial Review for Tao – by Kathleen Squires
The Scene
A 16-foot-tall Buddha lords over this 12,000-square-foot, multilevel spectacle where, even after five years, bodies pack every inch from bar to bathroom. Though there's no dancing, throngs of midtown workers and trendy tourists bring out their inner club kids to the thumping deep house music.
The Food
The pan-Asian menu could easily become an afterthought in such a scene-centric spot, but Chef Rick Laakkonen runs a reliable kitchen. The satay of Chilean sea bass brushed in miso, shrimp and green beans in a bright XO sauce, and crunchy spring rolls generously stuffed with duck are impressive, but most of the menu falls short, as with lackluster wasabi-crusted filet mignon and flavorless deep-fried lobster dumpling. Desserts, like the giant fortune cookie filled with light and milk chocolate mousse, perfectly embody the spirit of this over-the-top spot.
Editorial content is independent of paid advertisers. Any expenses are paid for by Citysearch.
Insider Tips
Know Before You GoPlan to wait up to an hour, even with a reservation.
What to DrinkHouse cocktails include the Blue Zen, with Bacardi Limon, Malibu rum, blue Curacao and pineapple juice ($10).
The ExtrasLike the music? You can take home a double CD of the restaurant's soundtrack for $25.
User Reviews for Tao
10/26/2008 Posted by singingdanielle
If you are an Asian cuisine connosieur, you HAVE to go to Tao. Their food is absolutely amazing. If someone were to ask me what my favorite meal EVER was, I would say the Chilean Seabass at Tao. Their desserts are amazing, as well. Atmosphere is totally chic. Cute hostesses in funky kimonos welcome you at the super scenic entrance way. An enormous Buddha is in the back of the huge lower level of the dining room. Super high ceilings allow for another huge floor of tables above the Buddha statue. The only problem with this place is their waiting/reservation thing. In the daytime, no reservations needed... Lunch isn't TOO busy. But I've heard horror stories of 3 hour waits at nighttime. I recommend a reservation, and even then - prepare to wait a bit.. have a few drinks at the bar. Overall, AMAZING food, hip and cool atmosphere, great place for a night with the girls or a date. Great service too. The servers are highly knowledgable on the menu and VERY professional. XOXO, Danielle
Pros: FOOD, service, atmosphere
Cons: The long wait
08/20/2008 Posted by JSENAT
oh my goodnesss!!!!!!!!! THIS FOOD WAS OUT OF THIS WOLRD!!!!! DELICIOUS.. Where do I start: the decor was beautiful, the ambiance was explosive, the wait was HORRIBLE, but guess what!!! It was worth every second. the food was soooooooooo good!!!! The sea bass, the jumbo shrimp tempura, the thai crab cakes, the vegetable fried rice, kung pao chicken, braised spicy shrimp, the drinks were so good, tao-tini is a MUST drink... i will definitely be going back... LOVE IT LOVE IT!!!!
Pros: DELICIOSU FOOD
Cons: LONG WAIT - RESERVATIONS DOESNT MATTER
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